About

All you need to know about the MergeLane Fund

MergeLane invests in high-potential startups and venture capital funds with at least one female leader. Since its 2015 founding, MergeLane has invested in 44 companies and recruited a network of 300 mentors and 600 investors. MergeLane leverages this network, its focus on Conscious Leadership, and the MergeLane Funderator(SM) to prove that diverse leadership teams drive superior investor returns. MergeLane is an on-ramp for the extraordinary.

The MergeLane Venture Fund

MergeLane makes select investments in startups and venture funds with at least one woman in leadership. As a means of generating quality deal flow and performing efficient due diligence on certain candidate companies, MergeLane has launched the MergeLane Funderator.

The MergeLane Funderator

Our Funderator marries the best features of a venture fund and an accelerator through a five-day intensive session -- the MergeLane Funderator ℠ -- to bring extraordinary companies industry-leading mentorship, coaching, and Conscious Leadership.

The Funderator is a five-day intensive session designed to recruit, screen, and accelerate the best startups (with at least one woman in leadership). The first two days are designated for Conscious Leadership training, a program we have used with all our portfolio companies and in our well-known Conscious Leadership Camps. The next three days are packed with intensive mentoring and rapid-fire feedback from our mentor and alumni network, and in-depth exposure to the MergeLane team.

This session generates immense value for participating teams at no charge, and MergeLane uses the insights we garner during that week to help us make investment decisions. Companies chosen for investment have continued access to our MergeLane network and team.

High-quality Content

MergeLane is educating thousands of leaders and companies around the world through informative content, podcasts, speaking, and events.

MergeLane Investment Criteria

Female-Led

MergeLane invests in companies with at least one female cofounder or executive with an equity interest and an operating role.

Company Stage

We invest from Pre-seed to Series A.

Traction

MergeLane does not consider businesses that are in the idea or concept stage. We strongly prefer companies that have achieved some degree of traction – revenue, contracts, viral user growth, strategic partnerships, etc.

Scale

Companies must have a scalable business model and the room for growth needed to achieve venture-level returns.

Verticals

Companies within any industry are considered. We are most interested in technology-enabled products, services and software.

Awesome

We seek out inspiring, extraordinary people leading companies tied to their deep and personal passions.

MergeLane’s “Why”

Our motivation is two-fold. First, there are far fewer women in startups than we would expect. We believe diverse companies are stronger companies, and we want to help narrow the gap. Second, data overwhelmingly shows that venture-backed, female-run companies produce higher returns.

This investment thesis and our belief in diversity propel our commitment to MergeLane. We feel compelled to promote exceptional women leaders and the companies they run until it is no longer necessary. We want to make MergeLane obsolete. We will accomplish MergeLane’s goals through openness and inclusiveness. Hear what leaders and past participants say at MergeLane Testimonials.